My Power Amp/Speaker Specs - Advice Wanted Please

precd · 2317

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Offline precd

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on: January 02, 2014, 03:21:28 PM
So like most of you I am trying to get the most out of my system. I have been reading one of Paul's post on noise and read the community article he wrote also. Below are the specs on my power amp and speakers. I was wondering if something like this: http://www.parts-express.com/harrison-labs-12-db-rca-line-level-audio-attenuator-pair--266-244 would improve my system.

Polk SDA2B speakers:
Overall Frequency Response: 15 Hz to 26,000 Hz
-3 dB Frequency Limits: 38 Hz to 20,000 Hz
Recommended Amplification: 30-350 watts/channel
Efficiency: 89.7 dB

Adcom GFA-545 SS Power Amp:
Power output: 100 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 10Hz to 20kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.04%
Damping factor: 400
Gain: 27 dB
Input sensitivity: 1.25V
Signal to noise ratio: 110dB
Input Impedance: 22k
Semiconductors: 38 x transistors, 2 x zener diodes, 12 x diodes, 2 x IC, 2 x diode bridges

Everything sounds pretty fine but you know how we are. We don't twerk we tweak.
« Last Edit: January 02, 2014, 03:31:40 PM by precd »

Adcom GFA-545
Bottlehead Quickie Preamp
Elac Debut B6
Marantz CD5004
JRiver Software
Audioquest Dragonfly


Offline Paul Joppa

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Reply #1 on: January 02, 2014, 04:15:49 PM
Usually, if the volume control is normally in the middle of the range, and you don't have any specific problems you want to address, then you have things set up about as good as you can.

Still, it looks to me like you have plenty of headroom, so experimenting with an attenuator would be practical and probably educational as well. I think you could place it either at the Q input or the Adcom input - the sound will be different, but it's hard to predict which you might like better.

Paul Joppa


Offline precd

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Reply #2 on: January 02, 2014, 05:03:23 PM
The system sounds fine however on  busy tracks I am noticing the sound is muddled especially as the volume is raised. My volume control is never in the middle of the range and normally at 9 o'clock is more than enough sound.

I did not know if I should use a attenuator or try and insert a resistor to better match the impedance. I am hearing that the Quickie has 2k of impedance while my Adcom poweramp's input impedance is 22k.

Adcom GFA-545
Bottlehead Quickie Preamp
Elac Debut B6
Marantz CD5004
JRiver Software
Audioquest Dragonfly


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #3 on: January 02, 2014, 07:15:46 PM
The system sounds fine however on  busy tracks I am noticing the sound is muddled especially as the volume is raised.

That would have me examining the speakers and the power amp (more likely the power amp, IMO). 

The 5800/5802 would be worth auditioning if you can find one.

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline precd

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Reply #4 on: January 03, 2014, 02:32:17 AM
Thank you both for your advice.

Adcom GFA-545
Bottlehead Quickie Preamp
Elac Debut B6
Marantz CD5004
JRiver Software
Audioquest Dragonfly